Drinking a glass of orange juice in the morning is like sipping on sunshine; it gives you a burst of energy and makes you feel brighter. The reason? It's high Vitamin C content. When used in your beauty routine, Vitamin C does the exact same job (and more) for your skin.
With superfoods like kale, spirulina and chlorella taking centre stage, sometimes we just need to strip it back to the basics. Vitamin C may not be the newest ingredient in town, but it's one of the best and most effective if you want a healthy complexion.
What is Vitamin C?
In one word, it's an anti-ageing superstar and powerhouse. You'll most likely see it as "ascorbic acid" in a product's list of ingredients, and it is essentially one of the best vitamins to keep the skin and body protected against environmental aggressors and ageing.
How does it work?
It helps the skin to form a natural protection against daily stresses such as pollution and sun damage. By lessening its exposure to these harmful toxins, the skin can actually work on repairing itself; becoming healthier and stronger.
It also helps to even out the skin tone, reduce the appearance of blemishes, and improve moisture levels, which helps to keep the skin plumped-up and glowing. If you are feeling like your complexion is a litte tired and dull, it's an ingredient you should be adding to basket straightaway.
When should I use it?
Vitamin C can be used both in the morning or at night, depending on your own personal skincare routine. We personally love to use it in our morning skincare regimes, as it helps to brighten when we're feeling our most tired.
It can be found in any skincare product, but if you are using the ingredient as a treatment, it should be used after exfoliation and before moisturising. Take a look at our favourite Vitamin C-infused products below.
Our favourite Vitamin C-infused products
Murad Exclusive Vitamin C Triple Exfoliating Facial Peel
One of our top picks is the Murad Exclusive Vitamin C Triple Exfoliating Facial Peel. Using a blend of chemical, physical and enzymatic exfoliants, this antioxidant-rich formula reveals a new layer of skin, promoting a more even, glowy complexion. Use 2-3 times a week to boost collagen synthesis and brighten your skin tone.
Clinique Fresh Pressed Renewing Powder Cleanser With Pure Vitamin C
We absolutely love Clinique's Fresh Pressed Cleanser, which actually comes in powder form. When mixed with water, the Vitamin C is activated and helps to purify, refine and brighten dulling skin.
It's also housed in its unique packaging to ensure that no oxygen gets into the product so that the Vitamin C is at its most concentrated when reaching your skin.
Zelens Power C Treatment Drops
Skincare brand Zelens is loved by guru Caroline Hirons, so it's little wonder this features in our edit of the best Vitamin C products. The Power C Treatment Drops contain 20% of the ingredient to brighten and smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, while helping to support collagen production for long-lasting effects.
Although they're called drops, they're best applied directly to the skin for stunning results.
Erno Laszlo White Marble Dual Phase Vitamin C Peel
If anyone knows skin, it's Erno Laszlo. The White Marble Dual Phase Vitamin C Peel is a two-stage system enriched with lactic acid to slough away dead skin cells and rejuvenate breakout-prone and dull complexions.
Vitamin C in the second stage of the treatment helps to brighten and leave the skin glowing for the next step in your routine.
Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base
We cannot get enough of Bobbi Brown's Vitamin Enriched Face Base; a blend of skin-loving ingredients like Vitamin C to brighten and soften the complexion ready for makup application.
It also has a grapefruit scent, which immediately uplifts your mood when you're feeling super tired in the morning.
Glamglow Brightmud Dual-Exfoliating Treatment Mask
Glamglow's Brightmud Dual-Exfoliating Treatment Mask is our new favourite treatment for tired skin. Enriched with Niacinamide to enhance luminosity, this Vitamin C rich formula gently exfoliates your skin without stripping it, and shields your complexion from environmental aggressors to reveal a more radiant look.
Caudalie Vineactiv Glow Activating Anti-Wrinkle Serum
We absolutely love Caudalie's Vineactiv range, but this product has really grabbed our attention since it launched. The Glow Activating Anti-Wrinkle Serum contains both Vitamins C & E to protect, strengthen and add luminosity, while the brand's patented Anti Cell Burnout Complex helps protect against ageing by staving off environmental aggressors.
